Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-13

Richards was standing on the terrace IN
front of the Priors, wondering II she
would see anything OF Charlie before ne
started for the race meeting. when she
heard the sound OF horses hoofs upon
the gravel drive approaching the house;
Looking in the direction OF the sound
abe saw2and her eyes opened wide with
astonishment at the sight-a line race
horse walking up the drive Win a
somewhat diminutivc rider upon MS
back. He was beautiful creaturre-the
horse. that is. AS for the rider, he was
so wrapped up in long coat that only
his boots conid be seen, and they were
certainly beautifully polished but the
polish OF the boots was put TO shame by
the satin coat of the horse, who advanced
with wiry, springy tread. Dell ran across
the lawn to meet the animal. exclaimlng :;
"Why, surely this is, can only be, Way
land Smith"
"Husb, Miss" said the boy who rode
him. raising his whip-hand to his lips.
"Oh. Miss" he cried, in voice trem-
bling with excitement, sis the young
Squire about? l must see him instant
ly."
"Take the horse round to the sta
bles." cried Dell. "There are plenty OF
empty boxes there. Stay, the gate is
locked l have key, and will show you
the way. Oh, You beauty " she cried,
addressing the horse, who permitted her
to pat his polished shoulder with every
sion Of satisfaction.
There is nothing wrong with him, is
there, George--for you arc George, L
"Yes. Miss, I'm George. No, Miss,
there's nothing wrong with the Smith.
But there's something avfully wrong at
Snaflles, Miss"
"You look after your horse, George,
and I'll find the master, said Dell and,
Just as she was, she hurried into the vii
/ lage and arrived breathless, with her
hair blown over her face, at the door OF
the "Cross Keys" A knot OF young
men were standing at the door, who
stared their hardest, but made way for
her to enter.
What. Mademoiselle exclaimed
Anatole in delight and astonishment
"Ma femme she descend instantly to re-
ceive Mademoiselle.
ooh, don't make fuss, Anatole, but
call Mr. Lilbun at once. Make haste,
instantly" cried Dell, stamping her feet
with impotence at Anatole's beaming
face.
"Ah but believe, yes truly fear,
! that Monsieur has already set forth to
the course"
"Stop him, them cried Dell. "Send
after him do you hear ?"
"Why, what is the matter ?" asked
/ Charles voice from the door for one
of the young men, who had listened, OF
course, to what was going OH, had con-
doned their offence by calling back
Charlie, who had just started from the
inn stables. "What has happened? Is
anything wrong with my aunt Z"
''Yes, she has desperate influenza,
said Dell, "and wants to see you. And
now row me back to the Priors as quick
ly as you can aud L will tell you her
message" This was said for the benefit
OF all the wide-open ears that were
/ listening, and then as Charlie followed
her, amazed and mystifed, she whis-
pered "'The Smith is here"
"Here !" cried Charlie, as he handed
Dell into the boat. "Why, lie is half
way to London by this time"
"He is here, painted Dell. "George
has ridden him over, and he must see
you at once; and there's something
wrong"
Charlie said no more, but sculled on
desperately. The nearest landing place
for the stables was only couple of hun
/ dred yards distant from the inn lawn ;
and in few minutes Charlie was dashing
up the path to the stables with Dell close
upon his heels.
George was only too eager to tell his
story. "Bnt it's nothing wrong with
the Smith just cast your eyes over
him, sir, cried the lad, leading the way
/ to the box where the horse was stand
ing, now closely sheeted and hooded
and dexterously sweeping off the horses
clothing, George stood by, modestly
awaiting the need of approval.
Yes, he looks fit enough, said Char
lie, after a critical examination. "Well,
/ speak up, George.
"Sir. it was this very morning." be-
gan George "the boys were preparing
the Smith for his gallop, and me sit
ting in a corner reading the Sporting
Lie and wondering how they could dare
to lay such odds against him, when, 10
and behold, | hear the gate swing and
sec two gents walking up towards the
house. Mr.. Snaflles was there in a
minute, Just as if he had been looking
out for them. Servant, gentlemen,
saws he; what may be your business?
And then one of the gents pull some
thing ont OF his pocket. Suit of Pad
dock, he SAYS. I'VE seize Mr.. Lilburn s
horses. 'You'rea aware, gentlemen, says
Mr.. Snafiles very polite, as I've got a
lion upon them horses Now what could
he mean by that, sir ?" pausing and adj
dressing Mr.. Lilburn respectfully.
- understand, George. He has a
lien, of course, for his bill 60 on"
"'Quite right, says the other gent,
we sha'n't interfere with you, Mr..
Snafiles. And then the governor smiles
quite pleasant. Cant go against the
law, gentlemen, ne says, 'of course but
step into my little place and take glass
of Madeiry before you begin And &c
they did. And take look round and
see the boy had just got the saddle on the
Smith and | take the bride under nv
arm and walk him quietly out al
the gate, and the minute | get on the
turf I'm on to his back and off over the
downs. And l bring him along, sir, by
the bridlepaths he hasn't had two
hundred yards of hard road, sir; and |
bring him straight to you, sir, thinking
as how yo'd best know what to do, so as
he may run tomorrow and win the
Jubilee Stakes.
you've done well, George" cried
his master, patting him kindly on the
shoulder. 81 shan't forget this. how
ever things turn out. You see, Dell,
he went on, turning to Miss Richards
there is the demon Paddock at work
They say he ruined my poor father, anG
l quite believe it now for see how he il
gong for me
The question was whether the horse
was safe for the night in his present
quarters. Charlie thought not, for the
SherifTs men, having taken possession al
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